TL;DR
- Google’s new Android developer verification rules took effect on September 30 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
- Apps from participating stores must now come from verified developers before they can be installed on certified Android devices.
- Sideloading unregistered apps is still possible through Google’s new advanced flow, but it deliberately adds more friction.
Android has always sold itself on one simple freedom that iPhone users don’t really get: the freedom to install whatever you want, from wherever you want. Google isn’t killing that freedom outright, but as of September 30, it has officially started putting a few more gates in the way — and Android users in four countries are the first through them.
Google’s new developer verification rules are now in effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. On certified devices running Android 7 or newer, apps installed through participating stores must be registered to a verified developer. The initial list includes Google Play, Galaxy Store, HONOR App Market, OPPO App Market, Xiaomi GetApps, vivo V-Appstore, and Transsion’s Palm Store.
Domain Tag
harmonyos
Source Name
Android Authority